✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
British Airways is more generous than most full-service carriers on hand baggage — everyone, including the cheapest Basic fare, gets a full-size cabin bag plus an under-seat item, and the cabin allowance is one of the heaviest in the industry at up to 23 kg. The catch is on the ground: BA’s lowest fares (Economy Basic on short-haul, Basic on long-haul) include no checked baggage at all, and you add a hold bag for a fee that BA no longer publishes as a fixed table — it varies by route and is cheapest when bought online before you fly.
Below is the current 2026 policy, verified against British Airways’ own pages. Where a figure depends on your route, cabin or fare bundle, we say so explicitly rather than quoting a single number.
Quick facts
| Cabin bag | 56 x 45 x 25 cm, up to 23 kg |
| Under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm (free on every fare) |
| Checked bag size | Max 90 x 75 x 43 cm (incl. wheels/handles) |
| Checked weight | 23 kg (Economy/Premium), 32 kg (Club/First) |
| Cheapest fare | Basic = hand baggage only, no hold bag |
| Add a checked bag | From ~£35-£80 / ~€40-€95 (online, route-dependent) |
| Heavy bag (23-32 kg) | £65 / €75 / $100 per bag, each way |
| Max bag weight | 32 kg absolute (heavier not accepted) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm. A handbag, small backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front. Included free on every fare, including Economy Basic. Tagged with a yellow label at the gate when needed. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 56 x 45 x 25 cm · Up to 23 kg (combined with your under-seat item; you must be able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself) Free on all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 0 bags on Basic fares; 1 bag on standard Economy/Euro Traveller; 2 on Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) and Club; 3 in First |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per bag in Economy and Premium Economy; 32 kg per bag in Club and First |
| Typical fee | First extra/online bag typically ~£35-£80 (~€40-€95) each way, varying by route; use BA's baggage calculator for your exact fare. Adding at the airport costs more. A bag weighing 23-32 kg incurs a heavy-bag fee of £65 / €75 / $100 per bag each way. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic (short-haul) / Basic (long-haul) | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | None — add from a fee |
| Euro Traveller Plus / World Traveller Standard | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | 1 x 23 kg included |
| Plus Flex / Flex | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | 1 x 23 kg included |
| World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | 2 x 23 kg |
| Club Europe / Club World / Club Suite (Business) | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | 2 x 32 kg |
| First | Included | Cabin bag + under-seat item | 3 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
Here’s what you actually get on the cheapest British Airways fare we surface at deal prices — Economy Basic (short-haul) or Basic (long-haul):
- Hand baggage is genuinely included and genuinely generous. Even on the lowest fare you keep the full 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag (up to 23 kg) plus the 40 x 30 x 15 cm under-seat item — both free. That is unusual: most cheap fares on rival full-service carriers strip you to a small personal item only.
- No checked bag. Basic includes zero hold luggage. If you need to check a bag, budget roughly £35-£80 / €40-€95 each way depending on route — and always add it online before the airport, where it costs noticeably more.
- Do the maths on the headline price. A cheap BA Basic fare is a true bargain only if you can travel cabin-bag-only. With a 23 kg cabin allowance that’s realistic for short trips — but if you need a hold bag, compare the all-in price against a Plus fare, which often bundles the checked bag for less than buying it separately.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize / heavy bags. A checked bag must not exceed 90 x 75 x 43 cm (including wheels and handles). Bags 23-32 kg in an Economy/Premium cabin attract a heavy-bag fee of £65 / €75 / $100 per bag, each way. Nothing over 32 kg is accepted as checked baggage — it must be sent as cargo.
- Sports equipment (skis, golf clubs, bikes, surfboards) counts within your normal checked allowance — it is not free on top of it. If you have no included hold bag (e.g. Basic), you pay the standard extra-bag fee. Items must be properly packed; a bike box may be up to 190 x 95 x 65 cm and counts as one bag. Some items (golf, large/out-of-gauge gear) should be notified to BA at least 72 hours before departure.
- Musical instruments up to 80 cm (within 80 x 45 x 25 cm) can travel as your cabin bag. Instruments 80-140 cm are not allowed in the cabin as hand baggage — check them in a rigid case or buy an extra seat. Guitars are not accepted in the hold in soft cases.
2026 note. The EU’s proposed law guaranteeing a free 7 kg cabin bag plus a 40 x 30 x 15 cm personal item on all flights was still in conciliation between Parliament and member states as of mid-2026 and is not yet in force. British Airways is a UK carrier and would not be bound by it on most routes in any case — but BA already includes a generous cabin bag and free under-seat item on every fare, so the practical difference for BA passengers is minimal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the British Airways hand luggage allowance in 2026?
Every fare, including Economy Basic, includes one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm plus a small under-seat item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The cabin bag can weigh up to 23 kg, though you must be able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself.
Does the cheapest British Airways fare include a checked bag?
No. Economy Basic (short-haul) and Basic (long-haul) include hand baggage only. You add a checked bag for a fee, typically around £35-£80 (€40-€95) each way depending on route, and it is cheaper to add online than at the airport.
How much does British Airways charge for a checked bag?
BA no longer publishes a fixed fee table and prices vary by route — use BA's baggage calculator for your booking. As a guide, a first extra bag is often £35-£80 (€40-€95) each way online. A bag weighing 23-32 kg adds a heavy-bag fee of £65 / €75 / $100 per bag each way.
What is the checked baggage weight limit on British Airways?
23 kg per bag in Economy and Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus), and 32 kg per bag in Club (Business) and First. No bag over 32 kg is accepted as checked baggage. Maximum size is 90 x 75 x 43 cm including wheels and handles.
How many checked bags do I get with British Airways?
None on Basic fares; one 23 kg bag on standard Economy/Euro Traveller; two on Premium Economy; two 32 kg bags in Club; and three 32 kg bags in First.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument on British Airways?
Sports equipment such as skis, golf clubs and bikes counts within your checked allowance (not free on top of it) and must be properly packed; a bike box can be up to 190 x 95 x 65 cm. Instruments up to 80 cm can be your cabin bag; larger ones must be checked in a rigid case or travel on an extra seat.
Will the new EU free cabin bag rule apply to British Airways?
As of mid-2026 the EU's proposed free-cabin-bag law was still under negotiation and not yet in force, and British Airways is a UK carrier not bound by it on most routes. In practice it makes little difference for BA, which already gives every passenger a cabin bag and a free under-seat item.
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